Race Report - 31st May 2008 - Downpatrick

Reid Finishes 6th Overall at Dusty Downpatrick

Saturday the 31st of May saw Justin Reid and Team Can Am travel the short distance from their base in Comber to Downpatrick Motocross Park, Ballymoney and District MCC promoting the 2nd round of the 2008 Ulster Premier Quadcross Championship at the fast and furious hardpack circuit. Hot and dry weather conditions in the weeks prior to the event left Jackie Orr and his hard working crew with no option but to heavily water the circuit in preparation for the days racing, but despite all their hard work the dust was to play a major role in the proceedings with the meeting eventually reduced from three races to two for safety reasons, Justin nevertheless putting in an excellent performance in the challenging conditions to finish 6th overall and remaining in the top five in the series standings.

Race One

With thirty-one riders taking to the line for timed practice, it quickly became evident that visibility was going to be a major problem throughout the day, Justin struggling to get in a flying lap in the dusty conditions but still able to secure last pick of the front row for the start. As the gates dropped and the field charged around the first corner in a cloud of dust, Justin slotted in to 14th and quickly started to make up positions, moving past Alan Haugh and Johnny Kelly on the opening lap for 12th before passing Emma Mackin a lap later for 11th. Quickly finding his rhythm and with the Rotax powered Can Am DS450 working well around the hardpack circuit, Justin moved in to the top ten after passing Geoffrey Ingram as they reached the halfway point of the fifteen minute plus one lap moto. With few passing opportunities around the fast and furious circuit, the excellent handling of the Lonestar / PEP suspension and superb traction of the Carlisle clad Douglas rims allowed Justin to try different lines as the race progressed. Justin passed Emma McQuaid and Sean Goss for 8th on lap six before passing Terence Mackin on the following lap, he comfortably held this position to the chequered flag after nine hot and dusty laps of the 0.9 mile circuit for a hard fought 7th place finish.

Race Two

With the organisers left with the difficult but necessary decision to heavily water the circuit during an extended lunch break and reduce the days racing to two blocks instead of three, Justin took to the line for his 2nd and final moto of the day. A poor start saw Justin round the first corner in 15th with a lot of work to do, but undeterred and using his years of experience and the potent Team Can Am DS450, Justin quickly began moving up the ranks, passing Emma McQuaid and Michael Taggart on the opening lap and demoting race one winner David Cowan on lap two, before leaving Gary Mullan, Alan Haugh and Aaron Haslett in his wake on the next lap to have moved up six places from 15th to 9th in three laps! With a significant gap having opened up to the battling duo of series leader Michael McAneney and current champion Sean Goss, Justin set a blistering pace lapping almost two seconds a lap quicker than his quarry in front and quickly closed the gap before passing both McAneney and Goss just three laps later, Justin setting the 2nd fastest lap time of the race in the process. Now running in 7th with just two laps of the fifteen minute plus one lap moto remaining, Justin gradually closed the gap to 6th place in the closing stages of the race, but time was not on his hands, Justin taking the Team Can Am DS450 to the chequered flag after eight action filled laps for a fantastic 7th and 6th overall on the day.

No doubt slightly disappointed at his result in qualification and not finishing higher on the day, Justin should still remain upbeat that given the conditions on a circuit that is not the most technical and is notoriously difficult to pass on, he was still able to move through the field in both races, and with four rounds remaining he is sitting comfortably in 5th in the series and easily in touch with the leaders.

Reid

‘Unfortunately my poor qualifying position today really compromised my chances of gating well. The practice session is so short at these races that you really only get a couple of shots at setting a good time and if you miss that opportunity for some reason you’re in for a tough race. The track was atrocious – verging on downright dangerous. The dust in the first race was ridiculous and not much better in the second… It was impossible to see where you were going, mid pack, in the opening laps. It also isn’t very technical and there is little to separate the top ten – you really have to stick your neck out to make a pass. The split lane section of the track was working well though and offered some chance of making a clean pass.

Thankfully my quad was handling beautifully and I was able to take full advantage of it by really attacking the large down hill drop off and using one of the roughest lines on the track to sweep around the outside of some other riders. We learnt a little more today so I’m really looking forward to the next race where the more technical track will suit both me and the Can-Am’

Results

Race One

Winner – David Cowan; 2nd – David Wray; 3rd – Michael Taggart; 4th – Michael McAneney; 5th – Cathal McGilligan…7th – Justin Reid

Race Two

Winner – David Wray; 2nd – Johnny Kelly; 3rd – Ricky Toye; 4th – Cathal McGilligan; 5th – Brian Kerr…7th – Justin Reid

Championship Standings (after 2 of 6 rounds)

1st – Michael McAneney 118 2nd Brian Kerr 115, 3rd David Cowan 113, 4th David Wray 107, 5th Justin Reid 87, 6th Johnny Kelly 77

Next Race: Sunday 29th June – ACU British MMX Quad Championship (Round 4), Hawkstone Park, Shropshire

Click here to download as a PDF file